Storage holder for a dispenser

Abstract

A storage holder for placement in a liquid or foam dispenser includes a liquid reservoir having an opening and a plug provided in the opening. The storage holder also includes a pump having a pump section and an inlet tube extending from the pump section. The storage holder further includes a spacer having an opening for the inlet tube, with the spacer being positioned between the pump section and the plug so that a defined distance is provided between the pump section and the plug. The spacer is fixed at a position relative to the plug and relative to the pump only by a clamping connection between the inlet tube and the plug. The spacer is not connected to the pump and the spacer is not connected to the plug such that spacer may be separated from the pump and the plug when the pump is pulled out of the plug.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage holder for placement in a liquid or foam dispenser, the storage holder comprising:
 a liquid reservoir having an opening and a plug provided in the opening; 
 a pump including a pump section and an inlet tube extending from the pump section; and 
 a spacer including an opening for the inlet tube, the spacer being positioned between the pump section and the plug so that a defined distance is provided between the pump section and the plug, 
 wherein the inlet tube is fixed in the plug by a clamping connection, 
 wherein the spacer is fixed at a position relative to the plug and relative to the pump only by the clamping connection between the inlet tube and the plug, and 
 wherein the spacer is not connected to the pump and the spacer is not connected to the plug such that spacer may be separated from the pump and the plug when the pump is pulled out of the plug. 
 
     
     
       2. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes coupling means for coupling the storage holder to the liquid or foam dispenser, and
 wherein the coupling means includes separate connected parts. 
 
     
     
       3. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes coupling means for coupling the storage holder to the liquid or foam dispenser, and
 wherein the spacer and the coupling means are made from polyethylene or polypropylene. 
 
     
     
       4. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein a side of the pump section facing the liquid reservoir is provided with a male or female part, and the spacer is provided with a corresponding other of the male and female part such that when the male part is positioned to the female part the spacer is prevented from rotating relative to the pump. 
     
     
       5. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a foam pump provided with a liquid piston and an air piston, and
 wherein the spacer is provided with openings fluidly connecting an exterior of the storage holder with the air piston. 
 
     
     
       6. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug is provided at its exterior with a rim, and
 wherein the spacer rests on the rim. 
 
     
     
       7. A storage holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump section of the pump comprises:
 a moveable operating part comprising a liquid piston, an air piston, and a nozzle for dispensing a liquid or foam; 
 a fixed part including the inlet tube fluidly connected to a liquid chamber; and 
 an air chamber positioned around the liquid chamber, 
 wherein the fixed part includes a cap through which the nozzle extends, with the cap having a larger cross section than the inlet tube, and with the cap having a side that rests on the spacer. 
 
     
     
       8. A storage holder according to  claim 7 , wherein the opening of the spacer encompasses part of the plug, part of the inlet tube, and part of the air chamber. 
     
     
       9. A fluid or foam dispenser comprising a housing and a storage holder according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the storage holder is fastened to the housing with coupling means. 
     
     
       10. A method of disassembling a storage holder for placement in a liquid or foam dispenser, the storage holder comprising (i) a liquid reservoir having an opening and a plug provided in the opening, (ii) a pump including a pump section and an inlet tube extending from the pump section, with the inlet tube being fixed in the plug by a clamping connection, and (iii) a spacer including an opening for the inlet tube, with the spacer being positioned between the pump section and the plug so that a defined distance is provided between the pump section and the plug, and with the spacer being fixed at a position relative to the plug and relative to the pump only by the clamping connection between inlet tube and plug, the disassembling method comprising:
 pulling the pump from the plug such that the spacer is obtained as a separate part without having to exert any additional force to separate the spacer from the pump and from the plug.